missouri

A federal district judge rejects the Trump administration's arguments against the proposed merger of telecom and satellite TV provider AT&T and media content giant Time Warner. Will the government appeal? What impact is the decision likely to have on consumers and other attempts at so-called "vertical" mergers?

The Missouri Senate approved an amendment to the state constitution that would ban lobbyist gifts to lawmakers.

The measure, passed Wednesday in a 20-12 vote, would also change legislative term limits to allow lawmakers to serve more time in one chamber. If the amendment is approved by the House, it will go to voters.

The gift ban was a longtime priority of Republican Gov. Eric Greitens, who signed an executive order more than a year ago banning lobbyist gifts to his own employees.

Lead has played a pivotal role in the history of Missouri. More than 17 million tons of lead have come out of the ground in the state over the last 300 years, and that's left a lasting impact on the state economically, environmentally and culturally. KBIA is exploring that history —and future—in our special series The Legacy of Lead.

Today Paul Pepper visits with JIM STEELE, editor of the book, "Howard Co., MO: From Prairie Land to Promised Land." Three years in the making, this passion project features about 265 photos, some of which date back to the 1800s! Whether you're a serious history buff or a casual history buff, this book is a wonderful opportunity to step back in time. (Check out the photo of a young Kit Bond on the square in Fayette!) August 21, 2017

Candidates for statewide office in Missouri are crisscrossing the state, taking nothing for granted in what is shaping up to be a nail-biter in the races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Polls show that heading into the election on Tuesday, Democrat Chris Koster and Republican Eric Greitens are in a virtual tie in their bid for governor. The same is true in the Senate race, where incumbent Republican Roy Blunt is trying to hold off a spirited challenge from Democrat Jason Kander.

Missouri is sending help to the southeastern part of the United States as Hurricane Matthew continues to damage coastal states.

According to a press release from the Boone County Fire Protection District, FEMA activated Missouri Task Force 1 Thursday evening to aid in relief efforts. Missouri Task Force 1 is an urban search and rescue team trained in everything from large building collapse searches to water rescues. The task force is bringing more than 40 personnel and 100,000 pounds of gear to help the affected states.

A Missouri teenager is suing after a police officer used a stun gun on him during a traffic stop, causing him to suffer a heart attack.

Bryce Masters sued the City of Independence and Taser International on Monday in federal court in Kansas City.

Masters, a police officer's son, nearly died in September 2014 when the officer shot him in the chest with a Taser. Masters was 17 at the time. The lawsuit says he suffered a brain injury that continues to affect his memory and cognitive abilities.

Hinkson Creek, which runs through Columbia, might not seem like an ideal destination for anglers. While it carries some standard game fish like bass and blue gill, you’re not likely to find any record catches.

But on a recent late-Summer day, Michael Moore was after fish on the opposite end of the spectrum.

A doctoral student in fisheries conservation at the University of Missouri, Moore was turning over rocks in the creek, looking for tiny aquatic bugs to use for bait.

An activist group has suspended its efforts to loosen marijuana restrictions in Columbia, while awaiting the fate of a statewide push to allow Missourians to vote on legalizing medical marijuana.

Mid-Missouri organization, NORML wants Columbia to decriminalize the cultivation of six or fewer marijuana plants. Group president Josh Chittum says the issue would be moot if medical marijuana is legalized.

The University of Missouri is now projecting a drop in enrollment of 2,630 students for the next school year, which will contribute to a $31.4 million revenue shortfall for MU next year.

University of Missouri leaders briefed faculty and staff Wednesday with the latest figures on enrollment and the budget for the next fiscal year. Vice Chancellor of Finance Rhonda Gibler explained the cuts necessary to right the ship at MU will not be easy.

JEFFERSON CITY - Lobbyists could spend up to $40 a day per lawmaker on meals under legislation pending in the Missouri Senate.

Republican Sen. Dave Schatz unveiled the proposal Wednesday that would ban most gifts to lawmakers and public officials but still leave them with a healthy limit for meals.

Lobbyist spending currently has no limit in Missouri.

Backers say the proposal is a step forward, but critics say it doesn't go far enough. House members previously had approved a ban on lobbyist gifts except for meals offered to all lawmakers and statewide officials.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Legislature has passed a bill reviving a tax break for small businesses that add employees.

The bill given final approval Wednesday by the House allows businesses with fewer than 50 employees to claim a $10,000 tax deduction for each job they create that pays at least their county's average wage. Those businesses could claim a $20,000 deduction if they also cover at least half the cost of their employees' health insurance premiums.

ST. LOUIS - The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to halt Earl Forrest's execution hours before the Missouri man is scheduled to die by injection.

The court issued its ruling without comment today. Forrest is scheduled to die tonight at the state prison in Bonne Terre for the 2002 killings of Harriett Smith and Michael Wells in a drug dispute and Dent County Sheriff's Deputy Joann Barnes in a shootout that followed at Forrest's home.

COLUMBIA - A Missouri hospital that helped stop a competing effort to build a psychiatric hospital two months ago has proposed a $21 million facility to fill the necessity for more inpatient psychiatric services.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that a hearing on the application of CenterPointe Hospital's proposed 72-bed psychiatric hospital in north Columbia is scheduled for July 11.

JEFFERSON CITY - A contested Missouri measure, SJR 39, to protect businesses that deny services for same-sex weddings has been voted down.

The measure failed to advance Wednesday on a 6-6 vote in a House committee. It had previously passed the Senate.

The legislation drew opposition from LGBT-rights activists and some business leaders, who cited economic backlash in other states with laws perceived as discriminatory toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

JEFFERSON CITY - An Ameren Corp. subsidiary has won conditional approval to build a high-voltage power line across 95 miles in northeastern Missouri.

The Missouri Public Service Commission approved the power line Wednesday on the condition that the company gets consent from county commissions to cross roads. The project runs from Palmyra to the Iowa border.

Some property owners raised health concerns and claimed the power line would violate a 2014 Missouri constitutional amendment creating a right to farm by taking land out of production.

JEFFERSON CITY - About 26,000 Missouri residents have lost government food stamp benefits for failing to meet work and job training requirements.

Requirements that took effect at the start of this year limited some adults to three months of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, unless they spent 80 hours a month in work or job-skills programs.

The requirements apply to able-bodied adults ages 18 through 49 who don't have children or other dependents in their homes.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri lawmakers appear uninterested in Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's proposal to end the business "border war" between the two states.

Brownback last week offered to reduce his state's efforts to lure jobs away from the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area if Missouri's lawmakers would in turn weaken a law they approved in 2014 addressing the issue.

JEFFERSON CITY - More than a dozen companies want shields for businesses removed from a Missouri proposal creating religious protections for those objecting to gay marriage.

Company executives this week sent a letter to a House committee chairman asking to nix that provision.

The proposal would prohibit government penalties against those who cite religious beliefs while declining to provide wedding-related services to same-sex couples. The religious protections would apply to clergy, religious organizations and some businesses such as florists and photographers.